Bell still isn’t yet a free agent, though Marc Stein reports that he and the Jazz will work up until tomorrow’s playoff-eligible-players’ buyout deadline to try and sort something out. However, due to the Lakers’ high $100 million payroll this season, they might just pass on Kobe’s former foe if he becomes available:

Raja Bell not signing with the Lakers?

Word is Raja Bell buyout in Utah will continue to be discussed up to Friday’s 11:59 PM ET deadline but Lakers NOT most likely destinationMarc Stein

Raja Bell certainly fits, given that Kobe/Nash/D’Antoni rank as three of his biggest fans, but Lakes NOT eager to add to $100 mil payrollMarc Stein

Of course, the Lakers will always spend if it makes sense, but would Bell really help this team? At 36-years-old, he’s shown a decline in his play in recent years. The Lakers would probably find more success running the forgotten man Devin Ebanks at the back-up small forward position, or signing a big man.

Then again, Pau Gasol is making progress in his recovery, so maybe they won’t sign any free agents at all.

Ross Pickering is the founder of Lakerholicz.com. He's here to bring you daily updates on your Los Angeles Lakers, despite living 5,485 miles away from L.A. in England. You can follow him on Twitter: @RossPickering